Thanksgiving with Grateful Hearts

As I am working on this blog post, it is hard to believe the first of December is here, and Thanksgiving 2022 has come and gone. The calendar says it is still Fall, but in our world, Winter is here! 

The last bouquet out of the garden! 

Cutting up the pumpkin from my garden 

Roasting the pumpkin is the best way I've found to preserve pumpkins.  Just roast them at 350 for about an hour until fork tender.  Scoop out the seeds before roasting, feed them to the chickens or make your own roasted pumpkin seeds. 

All this pumpkin pureed up and ready for the freezer! I mark on the bag whether it is a 2-cup or 1-cup pkg, as sometimes I only need to make one pie. 

Lost in pensive thought... my sweet girl Ash. 

Walking one frosty morning, the temps were about 7 degrees.  The neighbor's horses came to the fence as we walked by.  The sun was rising through the misty fog and created a spectacular scene.  

After several minutes visiting the horses, I captured this gorgeous image! 

We got a little snow and decided to try to get our burn piles lit. It had been quite dry, and we wanted to avoid burning our slash piles any sooner. They lit right up and it was so pretty to watch with the snow around us! I took this picture from my living room window where I keep some of my tea wares :) The tea lamp in the middle is one I made myself.  I used E6000 glue to glue the bottom layer (an ashtray) to an upside-down vase and then added the Thomas Kincaid teapot to the top. I drilled a hole in the ashtray and threaded fairy lights into the vase to create this adorable lamp that is on a timer, it comes on every evening at dusk.  

We flew down to Texas for Thanksgiving. My brother hosted the gathering this year. He has this beautiful pool room overlooking his pool for us to gather in. It is such a blessing to all be together in comfort with such a beautiful view! 

Such an abundance of food! 

It had been raining quite a bit, but the sun came out in time for our dinner together. It was so beautiful to visit with everyone! 

After the dinner was done and tables put up, we sat around and visited. 

Ryan and Alanna singing to Dan's Mom. Dan's family gathered in a campground, and we rented an RV to be with them. 

My brother was so kind to lend us a vehicle, and we rented the RV.  It was fun to be with Dan's family and enjoy the Thanksgiving week with them too. 

Dan's mom is in a nursing home, but she came out with us to
spend time at the RV park. 

One night we went down to the San Antonio Riverwalk.  We ate at Mi Tierra's, an incredibly beautiful Mexican cafe.  The mariachi band played a song for us! 

The decor in this cafe was full of color and vibrance! 

My brother ordered this "Family Feast" platter for us. It was so much food, it fed all of us, and was so so good! I took this picture after we had eaten almost to our heart's content.  There was a lot left over, and there were 8 of us! 

One thing we love about Tex-Mex cuisine is their fried sopapillas.  Oh my ... soo good drizzled with honey! 

Dan and I as we walked around the Riverwalk.
Christmas trees lit up everywhere! 

Ryan and Alanna.

A picture of us down at the Riverwalk. 

My brother and his wife. 

There was a group celebrating a quinceanera (a Mexican traditional celebration for 16-yo girls). It was quite the affair! The 16-yo girl was in the yellow dress. 

Down at the Riverwalk

The Alamo was all lit up with Christmas lights. 

Another view of the Riverwalk. It truly is an incredible place to visit,
especially in the Christmas season. 

My Dad was not feeling well all through Thanksgiving.  My mom took him to the hospital finally after Thanksgiving, and he was admitted.  He didn't want to miss any of the Thanksgiving festivities.  

The doctors have changed his medications,
and he is back home now, doing better. 

Far too soon it was time to fly back home.  There were SO many people flying this time! The TSA lines were wrapped around the whole airport.  They had a dog sniffing everyone to try to speed up the lines. If you got the ok from the dog, you didn't have to remove your shoes or coat and that really helped to speed up the lines.  I hope this is something they continue to employ at all airports! 

On our way home, waiting to board our flight. 

We were greeted with a major winter storm upon arrival home. 

It was so beautiful to see! Our forest was covered in gorgeous snow! 

Our neighbor took such good care of our animals.
But they were so glad to see us back home! 

All curled up in my lap, they wanted to forget the memory of us being gone! 

The dogs and I went for a walk after the first snowstorm. The skies were glorious! They were so happy to be walking again! 

I was so happy to be walking again too!
We ate too much food over Thanksgiving! 

The views were spectacular as we walked! 

I sure do love where I live! 

It was a bit chilly out as we walked, but the smile on my face says it all :)
I was warm and cozy under all those layers! 

The chickens were very busy while I was gone! 

A beautiful barn I love to photograph on our daily walks. The skies were incredible! I do love Winter... even though it comes quite early and stays quite late.  :) 

I just finished another music video that I hope you will enjoy watching. It shows the beautiful beaches of Prince Edward Island put to beautiful piano music.  

Happy December to all of you, and I pray that you make time in the busy-ness of this season to stop and worship the Lord, and thank Him for all His many blessings. This is a hard time of year for so many people, but I do know that having a thankful heart helps ease the anxiety and stress of this time of year.  Blessings to all!